Earring with locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of an earring are provided. For example, an earring can be provided having a body portion including a top portion and a bottom portion, and a post provided on the top portion, wherein the post is configured to be in a first position that is substantially parallel to the body portion and a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the body portion, and wherein the post pivots from the first position to the second position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of an earring, and more particularly, to exemplary embodiments of an earring with a locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Earrings are generally provided to be worn in a certain configuration. For example, an earring can be provided in a chain thread configuration which appears generally vertical when worn. Some earrings are provided in a circular or hoop configuration. It would be desirable to have an earring that can be worn in either configuration.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

At least some of the above described problems can be addressed by exemplary embodiments of the earring with a locking mechanism according to the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of an earring that can be worn in either a vertical configuration or a hoop configuration are provided.

In some exemplary embodiments, an earring is provided, comprising a body portion including a top portion and a bottom portion, and a post provided on the top portion, wherein the post is configured to be in a first position that is substantially parallel to the body portion and a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the body portion, wherein the post pivots from the first position to the second position.

The earring can further comprise a first recess provided in the top portion for the post to be placed within when the post is in the first position. The earring can further comprise a pivot bracket provided on the top portion, wherein the pivot bracket can pivot between an upward and downward position, wherein the pivot bracket is provided over the post in the downward position when the post is in the first position to secure the post in the first position, and wherein the pivot bracket holds the post in the second position when in the downward position.

The earring can further comprise a second recess provided in the top portion for the pivot bracket to be placed within when the pivot bracket is in the downward position. In some exemplary embodiments, the second recess is perpendicular to the first recess, and the second recess is provided slightly deeper within the top portion than the first recess. In some exemplary embodiments, the pivot bracket is substantially parallel to the body portion when in the downward position. The pivot bracket can be substantially flush with the top portion in the downward position and the post can be substantially flush with the top portion in the first position.

The earring can further comprise a slot on the bottom portion configured to receive the post when the post is in the first position. In some exemplary embodiments, a diameter of the slot is slightly larger than a diameter of the slot so the slot frictionally receives the post. In some exemplary embodiments, the body portion can comprises a plurality of discs, and the top portion can provided on a top disc and the bottom portion can be provided on a bottom disc.

In some exemplary embodiments, a locking mechanism for an earring can be provided, comprising a post provided on a surface and configured to pivot a first position that is substantially parallel to the surface and a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the surface, and a pivot bracket provided on the surface configured to pivot between an upward and downward position, wherein the pivot bracket is provided over the post in the downward position when the post is in the first position to secure the post in the first position, and wherein the pivot bracket secures the post in the second position when in the downward position.

The locking mechanism can further comprise a first recess provided in the surface for the post to be placed within when the post is in the first position. The locking mechanism can further comprise a second recess provided in the surface for the pivot bracket to be placed within when the pivot bracket is in the downward position. In some exemplary embodiments, the second recess is substantially perpendicular to the first recess, and the second recess is provided slightly deeper within the surface than the first recess.

In some exemplary embodiments, the pivot bracket is substantially parallel to the surface when in the downward position. In some exemplary embodiments, the pivot bracket is substantially flush with the surface in the downward position and the post is substantially flush with the surface in the first position. In some exemplary embodiments, the pivot bracket is configured to be raised when the post is moved from the first position to the second position, and when the post is moved from the second position to the first position.

The locking mechanism can further comprise a wall section within the surface to secure the post in the second position such that the post is provided between the wall section and the pivot bracket. In some exemplary embodiments, the surface is substantially flat. In some exemplary embodiments, the post includes a first end having a pivot section within the surface, and a second end configured to be inserted in a user's ear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an earring in a straight configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of an earring in a hoop configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of an earring locking mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide for an earring with a locking mechanism that can be worn in a straight (or drop) configuration or a hoop configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, a locking mechanism can be provided to lock the earring in both the straight configuration and the hoop configuration when worn by a user.

Exemplary embodiments of the various methods and apparatuses will now be described with reference to the figures. The following description of the various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an earring 100 in a straight or drop configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the earring 100 can have a body portion 110 comprising a plurality of discs 130. Atop disc 130 a can have a post 120 to be inserted in a user's earhole and a bottom disc 130 b. The post 120 can have a first end 120 a attached or unitary with the first disc 130 a, provided at a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the first disc 130 a. The post 120 can have a second end 120 b that is inserted into the user's ear. A backing (not shown) can optionally be applied to the second end 120 b to secure the earring 100 to the user's ear.

A plurality of discs 130 can be provided between the top disc 130 a and bottom disc 130 b. Any number of discs 130 can be provided between the top disc 130 a and bottom disc 130 b, such as but not limited to 2-20 discs, which can depend on various factors such as the size and shapes of the discs. The discs 130 can be of any shape or size. In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the discs can have a bulbous or curved side on a top portion, and a flat smooth portion on a bottom portion. The discs 130 can be made of any material, such as but not limited to metals, plastics or any composite thereof. The discs 130 can have designs or incorporate jewelry such as stones on them or the discs can comprise stones. The discs 130 can be attached or connected to each other through adhesives or other material. In some exemplary embodiments, the discs 130 can be connected to each other using bars 125 (as shown in FIG. 2). The bars 125 can be glued or adhered to the discs 130 or can be inserted within slots in the discs 130 to hold them (e.g., the bars 125 can have bulbous opposing sides within the discs 130).

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of an earring 100 in a hoop configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in FIG. 2A, a locking mechanism 140 is provided comprising post 120 and a pivot bracket 150, which will be further explained below. The post 120 connected to top disc 130 a can be secured to slot or hole 160 in bottom disc 130 b. A portion of the second end 120 b of the post 120 can be inserted into the slot 160 of bottom disc 130 b to hold the post 120 within the slot 160, as shown in FIG. 2B. The diameter of the post 120 can be slightly less than the diameter of the slot 160 so the post is frictionally received within the slot 160 and can be secured within the slot 160 so it does not fall out. In some exemplary embodiments, a fastening mechanism (not shown), such as a clip or other mechanism, can be provided to secure the post 120 on the top disc 130 a to the bottom disc 130 b. The post 120 can have various dimensions or cross sections to ensure a fit in the bottom disc 130 b.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of an earring locking mechanism 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The post 120 can be in either a first position (shown in dashed lines) that is substantially parallel to the disc 130 a for a hoop configuration of the earring 100 (as shown in FIG. 2B), or in a second position (shown in solid lines) that is substantially perpendicular to the disc 130 a for a straight or drop down configuration of the earring 100 (as shown in FIG. 1). In the first position, the post 120 is pivoted downward and provided in a first recess 180 within the disc 130 in a position substantially parallel to the disc 130 a. The pivot bracket 150 can be placed downward over the post 120 to lock and secure the post in the first position so that it does not bend or pivot back upward. The top portion 150 a of the pivot bracket 150 can be curved to be flush with the outer surface of the disc 130 a when placed in a downward position within a second recess 170. When the pivot bracket 150 is placed downward to secure the post in the first position for a hoop configuration, as shown in FIG. 2A, the post 120 and pivot bracket 150 are flush with a bottom portion of the disc 130 a. Accordingly, the first recess 180 is slightly deeper than the second recess 170, allowing the post 120 to be placed parallel to the disc 130 a before the pivot bracket 150 is secured on top of the post 120. The first recess 180 can be perpendicular to the second recess 180 as shown in FIG. 3A.

When the user wants to wear the earring in a straight or drop down configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the pivot bracket 150 can be lifted or pivoted upward. That is, the pivot bracket 150 can have a pivot section at its bottom end 150 b allowing it to pivot from a substantially parallel position to the disc 130 a to an upward position. The pivot bracket 150 can be raised upward enough so that it allows the post 120 to be raised without engaging with the post 120. The post 120 can be raised upward so that it is substantially perpendicular to the disc 130 a. That is, the post 120 can include a pivot section at its first end 120 a so that it can pivot upward. A wall section 190 of the disc 130 a can prevent the post 120 from extending further backward. The pivot bracket 150 can then be pivoted back in a substantially parallel position to the disc 130, as shown in FIG. 3B, such that it holds the post 120 upward in a substantially perpendicular position to the disc 130. The pivot bracket 150 can prevent the post 120 from pivoting downward, as shown in FIG. 3B. The earring 100 can now be worn in a straight or drop down configuration, as shown in FIG. 1.

Various other considerations can also be addressed in the exemplary applications described according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, various materials may be used to construct the elements described in the figures, such as the discs 130, the post 120, and the pivot bracket 150. Various sizes and dimensions of the elements and of the shapes and designs for the discs 130 can also be provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the materials chosen for the post 120 and pivot bracket 150 can match the materials for the discs 130.

Various advantages can be provided based on the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, discs having various sizes, shapes and patterns can be provided to provide an earring that can be worn in a straight configuration or a hoop configuration. The discs can be made of various materials, such as but not limited to metals, ceramic, glass, plastics or other materials. In some exemplary embodiments, the discs can be made of a gold, platinum, silver, titanium, zirconium, steel or brass material. Small and/or large stones made of any gems or jewel, such as but not limited to diamonds, rubies or sapphires, can be provided on the discs or comprise the discs, and each of the stones can have various cuts, shapes and patterns. Various numbers of discs can be used and the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular number of discs. Various modifications can be provided to the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, any combination and number of small and large discs can be used for the earring. Discs can be used in groups or as linkage elements to provide an earring that can be worn in both a drop down configuration and a hoop configuration.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, manufacture and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An earring comprising: a body portion including a top portion and a bottom portion; and a post provided on the top portion, wherein the post is configured to be in a first position that is substantially parallel to the body portion and a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the body portion; wherein the post pivots from the first position to the second position.
 2. The earring according to claim 1, further comprising: a first recess provided in the top portion for the post to be placed within when the post is in the first position.
 3. The earring according to claim 2, further comprising: a pivot bracket provided on the top portion, wherein the pivot bracket can pivot between an upward and downward position; wherein the pivot bracket is provided over the post in the downward position when the post is in the first position to secure the post in the first position; and wherein the pivot bracket holds the post in the second position when in the downward position.
 4. The earring according to claim 3, further comprising: a second recess provided in the top portion for the pivot bracket to be placed within when the pivot bracket is in the downward position.
 5. The earring according to claim 4, wherein the second recess is perpendicular to the first recess, and the second recess is provided slightly deeper within the top portion than the first recess.
 6. The earring according to claim 3, wherein the pivot bracket is substantially parallel to the body portion when in the downward position.
 7. The earring according to claim 3, wherein the pivot bracket is substantially flush with the top portion in the downward position and the post is substantially flush with the top portion in the first position.
 8. The earring according to claim 1, further comprising: a slot on the bottom portion configured to receive the post when the post is in the first position.
 9. The earring according to claim 8, wherein a diameter of the slot is slightly larger than a diameter of the slot so the slot frictionally receives the post.
 10. The earring according to claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of discs, and the top portion is provided on a top disc and the bottom portion is provided on a bottom disc.
 11. A locking mechanism for an earring, comprising: a post provided on a surface and configured to pivot a first position that is substantially parallel to the surface and a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the surface; and a pivot bracket provided on the surface configured to pivot between an upward and downward position; wherein the pivot bracket is provided over the post in the downward position when the post is in the first position to secure the post in the first position; and wherein the pivot bracket secures the post in the second position when in the downward position.
 12. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising: a first recess provided in the surface for the post to be placed within when the post is in the first position.
 13. The locking mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising: a second recess provided in the surface for the pivot bracket to be placed within when the pivot bracket is in the downward position.
 14. The locking mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the second recess is substantially perpendicular to the first recess, and the second recess is provided slightly deeper within the surface than the first recess.
 15. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the pivot bracket is substantially parallel to the surface when in the downward position.
 16. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the pivot bracket is substantially flush with the surface in the downward position and the post is substantially flush with the surface in the first position.
 17. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the pivot bracket is configured to be raised when the post is moved from the first position to the second position, and when the post is moved from the second position to the first position.
 18. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising: a wall section within the surface to secure the post in the second position such that the post is provided between the wall section and the pivot bracket.
 19. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the surface is substantially flat.
 20. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the post includes a first end having a pivot section within the surface, and a second end configured to be inserted in a user's ear. 